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Matsuura, Lau finish second

BOISE – The girls doubles team of Meg Matsuura and Ayla Lau faced a very familiar opponent in Saturday’s 4A state tennis championship match at Boise State University as they tangled with Madison for the fourth time this season.
During the regular season the teams split with one another and Madison was able to topple Blackfoot in the district championship match just prior to the state tournament so a tight match was to be expected.
In the end, Madison was able to hold off Blackfoot for the title, winning a hard fought match in straight sets 5-7, 4-6.
“It’s tough playing them again because they are a good team and even though we know their weaknesses, they know our weaknesses to,” Meg Matsuura said.
After winning the first game Madison then took the next three for a 3-1 lead on Blackfoot. Blackfoot didn’t quit however as they reeled off three straight winning games of their own to take a 4-3 lead.
After Madison tied the set at 4-4, Matsuura returned to the service line where she fell behind 0-40. As they have done all year long, Matsuura and Lau battled back, winning the next five points to win the game for a 5-4 lead.
“Meg was amazing,” Lau said. “It was just so much fun playing with her all year long; it is something that I will never forget playing on this team.”
Madison closed out the set however with three straight games to take the opening set 7-5.
Blackfoot came out in set two by winning the first two games for a 2-0 lead. Madison was able to get a break back in game three however and then rode that momentum all the way to the finish line as they claimed the state title, relegating Blackfoot to a state runner up.
“It was great having Ayla from Holland on our team this year and we will miss her next year,” Blackfoot head coach Brint Jefferis said. “But, we are looking forward to having Meg back next year because she is only a sophomore.”